ENVIRONMENT

First sightings of Gilthead sea bream in Northern Taiwan: A potential invasive threat

Taiwan, 14 January 2025 | Escapes from Aquaculture Farms in the Penghu Archipielago raise ecological concerns in the Pacific

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For the first time, gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)- a Mediterranean species- have been observed swimming in the wild in the water of northern Taiwan, specifically near Keelung Port. This unexpected discovery has sparked significantly concern among scientists about the potential risks posed by invasive species in the Pacific ecosystem.

The incident, as reported in a scienfic journal, appears linked to accidental escapes from aquaculture farms in the Penghu Island, an archipelago located southwest of Taiwan, where farming of this species began in 2020. Despite initial enthusiasm, production in these farms declied rapidly due to challenges such as poor growth rates and low feed efficiency.

Experts suggest that the gilthead sea bream likely escaped during their juvenile stages, successfully adapting to their new environment, and subsequently maturing and reproducing in the wild.

This development raises pressing questions regarding the ecological impact of their presence. Experts are concerned about how these fish might affect local species, either by outcompeting them for resources or interbreeding with other phylogenetically related species. The urgency of improving cage designs and other containment systems to prevent future escapes has also been emphasised.

Unanswered questions remain, such as whether these fish have already established a self-sustaining population in the Pacific, and what measures can be implemented to monitor and control their potential spread.

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